Proposed Container Swap Rules

Based on the answers to our survey results about a container swap, I've put together a set of proposed rules for everyone to take a look at. I'd like to open this up for discussion, as there are some costs involved, mainly with shipping containers back and forth.

Please take a look at the proposed rules and discuss any changes or suggestions that you might have. Depending on the responses, we may be able to begin the swap process this month, or we all may decide to wait for the new year to begin.

Your feedback is important!

-Elroy

------RAILBRICKSContainer Swap Guidelines

Sign-Up!

To participate in the RAILBRICKS container swap, sign up by emailing (address to be determined) with your name, your club's name, your email address, and the mailing address that containers should be sent to.

Sign-ups will take place from/to (dates to be determined).

A list of the people and groups signed up for the swap will be posted on the RAILBRICKS website as registrations are received. Note that your contact information will not be publicly posted.

Build!

As part of the swap, you will be responsible for providing one container to each person or group that signs up, other than yourself. For example, if 30 groups sign up, you must provide 29 containers for the swap.

Containers must be 6 studs wide, 16 studs long, 5 bricks and 2 plates tall, with a set of 4 feet made of 2 x 2 corner plates attached to the bottom, and a set of 1 x 4 tiles on top to allow for stacking.

Working container doors are optional, but encouraged! Just be sure that all elements fall within the 6 x 16 stud footprint.

Send!

Starting (date to be determined), send your finished containers to the address that will be provided. All containers will come to a central location for sorting and re-distribution.

Receive!

Once all containers are received, sorted, and boxed at the central shipping location, packages will be sent back out to each group using the shipping information provided when you signed up. Once received, open the box and enjoy!

Notes on shipping: A basic container weighs approximately 3.8 ounces. To estimate your shipping cost, multiply the weight of a single container by the number of containers that need to be built. Use this weight to determine your estimated shipping cost. You will need to pay this shipping cost both ways. Every effort will be made to keep shipping costs as low as possible.
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re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

I'd like to have a way for those of us who are not in clubs to participate. In anticipation of this event, I designed what I believe to be a very custom and cool container that represents my company (www.brickstuff.com). Because I am only one person, I invested to make a total of 5 containers. Because they are a new design, they have a very high brick count. I would be interested in sending these 5 out and getting 5 in return. I don't want to make 30 containers, but a swap 5-for-5 is interesting to me. Thoughts?

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

The original idea was to have as many containers as there are participants, so that everyone would receive one of every container. Thinking on it some, though, we could limit the number of containers, and each participant would receive a random selection back.

For instance, each person or club builds 5 containers. They then receive 5 containers in return, but not the same 5 that another group receives.

This might actually add to the fun, as some people may decide to trade containers after the initial swap to get containers that they would like.

This would also cut down on costs, as not as many parts would need to be purchased by each participant, and shipping would be lower with a lower number of containers.

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

I like that idea most, as it would add to the fun, and I would be able to actually take part in the swap. Buying 30 containers isn't the easiest thing to do for a TFOL trying to juggle school and work. 5 is much more realistic...

I think we should also organize some kind of flickr thing, so everyone posts pictures of their containers. It'd be cool to see where they go...

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

Agreed, 5 is more manageable, the number would not have to be limited, a contributor should just get back the same number they put in. This format could allow for clubs to put on a large number, while an individual could put in a few.

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

I agree. My friends and I have formed a club that isn't officially recognized but we have a logo and a paint scheme and would like to participate in the container swap very much. There should be a way to do this.

re: Proposed Container Swap Rules

The way I think that it should work is that an individual or club decides what containers they want from a list. Then they arrange a trade with those groups/individuals. In otherwords say I want 6 containers from clubs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I make 6 containers and give one to each club. I then get the desired containers. Finally are there specific dimensions/ specifications fro these containers or are they all random? In which case it could get confusing.

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